2026 Bear Success Thread

[.204smokechaser]

Figured I’d start a 2026 Bear Success Thread

Clearwater Region, Idaho.

Season opens on 4-1 in this unit/zone. My local Game Warden convinced me to buy another tag last night so I’ll be pickier on the second one.

 

[Lateonsethntr]

Anxious to see everyone's updates as this season finally gets rolling.

 

[Oregonhuntrboi]

My 2nd spring bear. Taken early on 4/7. Becoming one of the favorite hunts to do!

 

[YaakRiver]

Yesterday. Montana. 6.5 PRC with 147 ELD-M. Shot was 120 yards seated with elbows on my knees and took out the heart (lower left of picture), lungs and had some lacerations in the liver. Bear ran around 10 yards and piled up. Taped nose to tail at 5'10".

My positional shooting has improved significantly since I started shooting a Rokstok.

 

[Taudisio]

I’ve posted mine in other threads but I’ll put him in here too.

 

[YaakRiver]

I’ve posted mine in other threads but I’ll put him in here too.

That's a great bear!

 

[Timplant]

I’ve posted mine in other threads but I’ll put him in here too.
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GORGEOUS bear, Congrats. what state?

 

[Lateonsethntr]

These are getting me fired up! Nice bears!

 

[Maxhunter]

I’m baiting in my home state but also headed to Ontario in June.

 

[Taudisio]

That's a great bear!

GORGEOUS bear, Congrats. what state?

Definitely feel fortunate to locate him. I’m 90% certain I missed him 2 years ago about a half mile from where I found him last week.
One of the four states north of Nevada.

 

[Timplant]

Perfect, I am missing out on MT season since were finshing a new house. 2027 I'll be chasing a cinnamon or chocolate bear. Either way, congrats sir!

 

[YaakRiver]

Definitely feel fortunate to locate him. I’m 90% certain I missed him 2 years ago about a half mile from where I found him last week.
One of the four states north of Nevada.

Right on! My bear wasn't enormous, 5' 10" nose to tail. Had enough fat on him that should render to around a 1 - 1.5 gallons of lard.

Did you tape him nose to tail or square him? That noggin looks like it'll make book unless you have the chest of a 10 year old!

 

[Taudisio]

Right on! My bear wasn't enormous, 5' 10" nose to tail. Had enough fat on him that should render to around a 1 - 1.5 gallons of lard.

Did you tape him nose to tail or square him? That noggin looks like it'll make book unless you have the chest of a 10 year old!

Ha! I’m 6’ 215lbs and wear xl shirts if that tells you anything.
I don’t carry a tape measure with me. Guesstimated he was a touch bigger than last years, around 350lbs. We over filled a gallon ziplock with the fat off one ham that was about 3-3.5” thick. Could have used 10 ziplocks. When I get his skull back, I’ll measure it. Probably close to last years and right on the verge of making the book. I’ll get the age data back in the fall. I’m curious if he is older than the last one at 7y.o.

 

[YaakRiver]

Ha! I’m 6’ 215lbs and wear xl shirts if that tells you anything.
I don’t carry a tape measure with me. Guesstimated he was a touch bigger than last years, around 350lbs. We over filled a gallon ziplock with the fat off one ham that was about 3-3.5” thick. Could have used 10 ziplocks. When I get his skull back, I’ll measure it. Probably close to last years and right on the verge of making the book. I’ll get the age data back in the fall. I’m curious if he is older than the last one at 7y.o.

Yeah - that skull looks like it'll make the book. Regardless - really handsome specimen!

My wife loves baking with bear lard! She has me pack a bunch of gallon size freezer bags. Most clients don't want the fat so we make out pretty well.